Compensatory ed class creates stop motion animation film

Feb 19, 2013

Photo by: Donated photo HCC compensatory education students are pictured in the college’s Learning Resource Center working on the stop motion film they created. The class is currently planning a training stop motion film to be used at Haywood Vocational Opportunities.

Haywood Community College’s Compensatory Education class, in partnership with the college’s Learning and Resource Center, recently created a stop motion film “Louie Loses a Lug Nut.”

Stop motion, or frame-by-frame, is an animation technique designed to make an inanimate object appear to move on its own. The object is moved or manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when a series of frames are played in a continuous sequence.

“Stop motion filming is a wonderful tool to provide accessibility for people with differing abilities to both experience creativity and exercise their enthusiasm for technology,” said Patricia Smith, HCC coordinator of adult education.

Heather Cyre, librarian at the Learning & Resource Center, was the lead photographer and editor for the film.

“In the course of discussing how the library could collaborate with the Compensatory Education program,” said Cyre, “we had an idea to create a short stop motion animation film. The library team thought the project would offer students an opportunity to visit campus regularly, interact with new people and surroundings, and be involved in every aspect of the filmmaking process —from verbal storyboarding, to storyline development.”

“The concept began as a fun project that also demonstrated using the library to find information,” said Elizabeth Hembree, compensatory education instructor for adult education.

The initial idea stream focused on Louie the Car visiting the library to check out a book.

“The more the students talked the story through during brainstorming sessions, the more the story was developed into Louie the Car breaking down and needing information on repairs and even includes an alternate ending,” said Cyre.

Hembree added, “Louie Loses a Lug Nut” incorporated a fun prop (Louie the Car), with a somewhat realistic problem (having car trouble), to come up with a solution (a car “fix-it” manual), using the resources available in the library.”

“Our compensatory education program is a very important part of what we offer in adult education at HCC,” said Smith, “and we are continually looking for creative and interesting activities to deliver instruction to this unique group of students.”

Students assisted in shooting the roughly 220 images, creating the title and credits, choosing sound effects, and photo editing.

“Although the end product is a short video,” said Cyre, “the experience created a lasting impression with the students as they are developing future uses of stop motion films for training purposes.”

The class is currently planning a training stop motion film to be used at Haywood Vocational Opportunities.

“Our partner, HVO, plays a very supportive role,” said Smith, “they employ many of our students and continually celebrate them as important contributors to our community.”